Automatic sprinkler head



E. A. LOWE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEAD Fil ed No 30. 1920 Patented a. 14, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

ERNEST A. LO'WE, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AS SIGNOR, BY ASSIGN- MENTS, T AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER COMIEANY OF AMERICA, OF DOVER, DELA- WARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE. v l I AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEAD.

fipplication filed NovemberBO, 1920. Serial No. 427,853.

To all wiwm it may conceive..- s

I which holds back the fluid in the piping system, said cap or "alve being normally held in place by an arm or system of arms or levers held in restraint by a fusible link or mass of fusible material such as a low melting solder alloy.

While there are many shapes and types of sprinkler heads all embodying the same general scheme of construction, the proper functioning of all of them requires that the fusible member melt at a fixed or critical temperature to release the arms or levers and allow fiuid to escape from the piping system, for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. Because of inherent limitations, low fluid pressure and slowness of fire detection, the maximum floor space allowed per sprinkler is V 100 square feet; in practice,

however, this is often reduced 'to square feet with the consequent increase of piping, apparatus and installation expense.

While typical sprinkler heads-are rugged and have been consistent inaction, still the fire records for the past twenty years reveal losses dueto fire getting beyond the control of a sin le head and being'generally accompanied by heavy water damage, should an excessive number of heads open. This undesirable action is mainly due to the inherent limitations of the standard types of sprinkler heads among which may be mentioned:

(a) They have great lag or delay in action from heat, being of large mass; the fusible member thereby is slow of response to the action of the heat.

(b) Thefuse' point of the fusible member is not the operating point of the head in'practice. A head marked as 165 requires 240 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit of surrounding air temperature, sustained long proximately enough to heat the entire mass to fusion point of the alloy before it will operate.

(0) They cannot be safely madeto respond I to temperaturesonly slightly higher than those normal to the room in whichthey are to be placed, on account of the decomposing action of the heat upon the alloy used in the fusible member, such decomposition manifesting itself by change in molecular strength, also change in the fusing point, thereby causing premature action or nonaction at predetermined fuse point.

(d) Theyare very susceptible to change room reaches and the degree or fusing point.

of the sprinkler head; a room where the Kill operating constant, due to (1) change of fusible alloy;

maximum temperature reaches 140 would require a 212 head, while temperatures exceeding 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit would require the next higher degree or 286 head.

If the normal temperature exceeds 210 Fahrenheit the 360 head is advocated.

Again, it is obvious that the lower the initial temperature in which any of these sprinkler heads are locatedfthe longer-they take to operate from a fire, and as the low est accepted fuse point standard of the 'typical commercial sprinkler is 155-165 Fahrenheit, predicated upon its use' in normal temperatures, it is evident that great. delay in, operation from fire must ensue when the initial temperature surrounding jthe head is at low.points, zero or bel'owas 1'00 may be frequently foundrin freezers or non-heated places. Hence, all typical sprinkler lreads asv at present constructed and operated are'unreliable for high and abnormally slow for low temperatures.

The operating recordsof sprinkler systems clearly show the great need of a dependable apparatus capable of quickeroporation from all fires and especially atthe beginning of the fire; it bein evident that the quicker Water is direc'te on the fire the less the loss To do this a sprinkler head is'needed sensitive enough to operate on what is-known as a one-head fire (i. e.,

a fire small enough to be extinguished with the water" from one head). This is onl posquent delay in action.

The object of my present invention is to overcome the defects T in sprinkler heads above set forth and secure the advantages indicated tojwbichend the solder or alloy for holding the movable arm or system of arms connected to the fluid retaining capv is discarded and the apparatus is so constructed that the desired operation of the sprinkler head is produced by the action of a rate of rise thermostat, all as will be more particularly set forth. The

rate of rise thermostat may be of the type in which the operative member for the above purplose consists of a diaphragm exposed to t e pressure of air or other fluid heated in a chamber which is provided with a regulated vent for the .air, gas or other fluid whereby the sprinkler head will opcrate by release of, its cap restraining arm whenever the temperature advances at or beyond the desired rate of rise per unit of time.

'In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partial vertical section and side elevation of one form of an apparatus constructed in accordance withmy invention and shows the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1-, at right angles to Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a plan of a part ofthe thermostat mechanism.

Th invention will be described in con.- nection with a particular form of sprinkler head from which its application to other.

forms will be readily understoodby those skilled in the art.

in the accompanying drawings indicates the body of a metal frame of a sprinkler head threaded at the bottom to screw into the pipe fitting and N indicates the cap or valve through which the fluid may flow under the pressure in the sprinkler system for extinguishing a fire. Said cap or valve in -.one form of sprinkler heads seats, as indicated, on a diaphragm u exposed also to pressure in the piping system. P is the upper part of the frame rising from..-the base 0 of the frame and the top of the frame carries a suitable deflector or distributer E preferably arranged to distribute any fluid coming through the orifice opened when the cap or valve is thrown from its seat. F is a supplemental deflector or distributer which may be used for fluid escap ing through or by the deflector E. K is an arm extending up from the cap or valve and receiving pressure therefrom under the. action of pressure in the piping and L is another arm having a bearing at its upper end against the upper portion of the frame and engaged at its lower end b an offset on the arm K, the two arms orming in eifect struts which are so arranged with relation to the line of pressure that the cap or valve will be thrown off its seat by the pressure unless the arm K is held in restraint. If the arm K is freed the two arms are thrown apart and the cap flies from its seat, thus permitting the fluid to flow. According to my present invention the arm L. is held against movement by a restraining device consisting of an arm or lever J mounted on a pintle J at the top of the frame of the sprinkler head. The depending "end of the arm J is located in position to normally restrain or hold the aim K against movement so long as the arm J is itself held against movement, through a system of levers controlled, as will be presently described, by the action of the operative member of a rate of rise thermostat. For 'the sake of convenience in assembling the device, the upper end of the arm K is provided with a locking clip M pivoted to be capable of turning on the face of the arm K, so as to bring its end into position to engage with the end of the arm J after the a m L has been turned ba k 105 into position to seat the valve N.

' The rate of rise thermostat may be constructed as follows:

' C indicates a, diaphragm secured in place between twohalves D D of a metal container and dividing said container into two sealed spacesA and B enclosing each-a body of air. The half D of the metal shell is preferably made of thicker metal than D or is otherwise constructed so that the air in space B will be heated more rapidly than the air in space A under the effect of changes of temperature in the air or medium surrounding the container. Hence. under the influence of rises of temperature, the diaphragm C will be caused to move in a direction away from the space B. To govern this movement of diaphragm C and in mass of shells l) and D may be governed and diaphragm C made to move in the desired direction when pressures build up in B in response to rapid rates of rise of 5 temperature beyond equalizing factor of vent V and arising from abnormal conditions. At rates of rise in temperatures below the compensating setting of vent V pressures equalize on opposite sides \of lo diaphragm C and there is not enough pressure and consequent movement of C to release the leverage system. When the required movement of C is reached, it releases train of levers l, J, M, K and L, permitting cap N to leave its seat in U, in re sponse to pressure of water in the piping system; this train of levers being one of the many ways that may be employed to accomplish the samenend, viz to free the cap N from restraining forces. r

The lever l of the above-named system of levers is suitably connected with the center of the diaphragm U by a pin or piece H ex-- tending therefrom, said lever I being cflnstructed with a pintle S or pivot pin mounted on one face of a plate G and with a depending arm arranged to normally lie in the path of the upper arm of lever J. When the lever I moves by the action of the operating member C of the air thermostat its lower end moves to one side of the upper end of arm J, thus freeing or trippin the same so that it will no longer restraln the lever K and the valve N will leave its seat.

A stop or limit device consisting, for instance, of plate G open at its centre, serves to limit the action of diaphragm C in response to sudden drop in temperature, thus avoiding dislodging trip or lever ll. Should the temperature advance more slowly than "the predetermined rate, the apparatus might fail to operate due to the advance being slower than the compensating setting,

so that fire might take place without release of the valve. To avoid this contingency a supplemental diaphragm C is provided which is also subjectito the air pressure within the thermostat and is operatively connected with the lever l by means of the hook H hooking into an arm H attached' to the diaphragm C or. by other suitable means. The hook H engages with the arm H through a slot or opening therein providing a space which allows for lost motion, so that there will be no interference with the normalaction of diaphragm C. This diaphragm C'- is considerably stifier than C and moves onl when the accumulated pressure in-A. and B overcomes its inertia. Under slow rises in temperature air in A and B equalizes through vent V with less difference of pressure'tha n is necessary to move diaphragm'C to operatmg p end the state c uld c ntinue to melting point; unless diaphragm G was in the system. C is stifi' enough to resist all operating pressures caused by rises in temperature up to the rate of rise setting. It will, however, operate Whenever the predetermined degree of temperature is reached, due to the expansive force of air in A and B operating on C. Either diaphragm in operation releases the intervening levers opening the head. Deflector F is arranged to spread water properly above the ball D D. i

To make air chamber A-B tight and scaled to atmosphere, also permit assembly and adjustment of the train of levers, the open passage through upper part of frame P may be sealed andmade flexible and leak proof in any desired way as for instance by sealing it by flexiblediaphragm 2, such as gold beater skin, having metal Washer support below 'with sealed or restricted opening through which passes lower end of lever, 01'' crank This metal washer enables said sealing diaphragm to safely withstand all pressures in Aand B met with in practice.

By this construction my improved sprinkler head has the dual feature of operating upon a rate of rise as well as upon a fixed temperature principle, thus guarding against failure to operate by a rate of rise of temperature per unit of time, slower than the compensating setting of the rate of rise portion of the apparatus. Obviously, therefore,I retain by my invention not only all the advantages of the present constructions of sprinkler heads, but remove many of the objections due to the presence'of fusible. members and by the combination of the two principles of heat detection without the use of fusing devices, I secure by one unit re; sults hitherto unattainable.

lit will be noticed that the vent V operates as an equalizer between two air spaces, said vent and both air spaces being sealed to the atmosphere. This construction removes the danger of vent and moving members being affected by corrosion or encrustation, if the apparatus should be installed, for instance, in a'chemical, cement or sugar establishment. This feature, together with the further enclosing of all operating detents within a sealed space ensure a complete mechanism that will be freefrom all liability of change of operatingconstant due to load-- ing effect of a deposit of viscous or other re-' tarding foreign matter.

To seal the'space containing the operating members L, M, and valve, a casing rupturable by the force of the fluid escaping through the valv may be employed. T indicates a casing of this nature made preferably of glass or other translucent material, and in sections W indicates one of' the dividing lines between sections The casing rests upon a ledge of the base 0 as shown and at this point may be held lightly by a cement that will soften by heat or by other means allowing the sections to fall apart when they are struck by the water flowing from the valve.

A sprinkler head made according to my invention will operate as promptly in cold storage rooms as in heated ro0mssuch action always being without appreciable retardation, or delay, and permits of one type of head for all temperatures.

Also a sprinkler system equipped with this improved head operating by rate of rise of temperature will give greater range of fire detection and will materially lower the loss from fire and water and also greatly' reduce the present sprinkler protection cost owing to one type of head only being needed for all conditions, while because of its greater sensitiveness smaller fluid supply and conveying pipes are allowable and fires may be controlled with less number of heads per given floor area to be protected.

While I have described the use of air in the chambers it will be understood that any gas or fluid might be used and that the term air in this specification and subjoined claims is to be taken as a generic term including any fluid expansible by heat.

By the term rate of rise temperature thermostat as employed in the appended claims, I mean:

(1) Adapted to act primarily in response only to changes of temperature occurring at a predetermined rate greater or quicker than the normal rate of change of temperature of the atmosphere permissible without operation of the sprinkler head in contradistinction to one like one having a fusible member which will act only upon the attainment of'a fixed or absolute temperature reached indiflerently through any rate of change.

What I claim'as my invention is 1. The combination -of' a sprinkler head cap or valve, means restraining said cap and a rate of rise of temperature thermostat adapted to release said restraining means.

2. The combination of a sprinkler head frame, a cap or valve, means restraining sa d cap or valve, and means for releasing said cap or valve actuated by a rate of rise of temperature thermostat.

3. The combination with the cap or valve restralning means of a sprinkler head, of a rate of rise temperature actuated releasing means therefor. i

4. A fluid distributing device having a closure therefor, combined with means for openmg said closure actuated by a rate of rise of temperature thermostat.-

5. The combination with a fluid distributing device and a closure therefor, of

by which the outlet valve is held normally in place, of a restraining device normally enga ing and locking said arm, a rate of rise. thermostat and means mechanically connected with the operative member of said thermostat for freeing said restraining device.

8. The combination with a cap or valve locking lever for a sprinkler head, of a fluid thermostat having a diaphragm and equalizing vent exposed to pressure of the fluid therein and adapted to respond to a predetermined rate of rise of'temperature and means controlled by said diaphragm for releasing the sprinkler head arm or lever to allow the valve to open.

9. The combination of a sprinkler head and cap or valve holding lever therefor, means for restraining the action of said lever, an air thermostat having a sealed air space and two diaphragms exposed to air pressure within said space generated by changes of atmospheric temperature and means controlled by said diaphragms for releasing the cap restraining arm, one of said diaphragms being set to respond to pressure by which the other remains unaffected as and for the purpose described.

10. The combination with a sprinkler head and the ,cap restraining arm or lever therefor, of an air thermostat comprising an air receptacle havingtwo chambers connected by an equalizing passage and separated by a diaphragm and means controlled by said diaphragm for releasing the cap restraining arm or lever.

11. The combination of a sprinkler head and its cap holding arm or lever, of a locking device adapted to hold or restrain said arm or lever to keep the valve closed and an air thermostat having two thermostatically actuated devices both operatively connected with said restraining device, one of said devices acting only by pressure adjusted to rate of rise of temperature and the other set to act only on attainment of a fixed temperature and consequent pressure above that required to operate the first.

12. The combination with the valve holding arm or lever of a rate "of rise thermostat, comprising a plurality of sealed chambers the walls of which are of different heat conducting. capacity, a diaphragm exposed at opposite sides to the air pressures within said chambers respectively, a restraining arm normally holding the valve arm against movement and a tripping lever operated by the action of the diaphragm to release said restraining arm.

13. The combination with the valve arm or lever for a sprinkler head and a re straining device normally engaging and locking said arm, of a rate of rise thermostat and mechanism actuated thereby for freeing said restraining device and a supplemental thermostatic device having means for mechanically actuating said mechanism and responsive only to excessive temperature reached by a rate of rise slower than that required to operate the rate of rise portion of the thermostat.

1a. 'ilhe combination with the valve arm or lever for a sprinkler head, of a restraining device and an air thermostat having two diaphragms operatively connected With said restraining device, one of said diaphraglns acting by pressure resulting from a predetermined advance of temperature per 'unit of time and the other set to act only on attainment of a pressure above that operative in freeing the cap or valve by the operation of the first-named diaphragm.

15. In a sprinkler head, the combination of a frame or section for attaching to pip ing, a valve cap, restraining means holding said valve cap in position and a rate of rise thermostat having a plurality of air chambers separated by a diaphragm common to all and fitted With an inter-connecting equalizing passage, sealed from the atmosphere and means connected with the operated member of said thermostat for freeing said restraining device.

16. In a sprinkler head, a fluid restraining member held in a closed or inoperative position by restraining means actuated by the rate of advance of heat in a plurality of fluid retaining chambers, the Walls of which have different mass.

17. In a sprinkler head, the combination of a frame or section for attaching to piping, a valve cap, levers or arms holding said valve cap'in position, a restraining device normally engaging and locking said levers or arms, a rate of rise thermostat and means connected with the operative member of said thermostat for freeing said restraining device.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 24th day of November A. D. 1920.

ERNEST A. LUWE. i Vitnesses F. B. TOWNSEND, IRENE Lnrnowirz. 

